Is SmartLipo Right for You?
Jul 15th, 2010 by admin
SmartLipo has proven itself one of the safest cosmetic surgery options available, so most adults who are in good health are candidates for the procedure. During your consultation visit, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure with you. He or she will assess your overall health and address any specific medical concerns you may have. Your doctor will also discuss your expectations for the procedure, and explain what SmartLipo could do for you. Typically, the ideal candidate for SmartLipo:
• Is in good health
• Follows a healthy lifestyle, including a smart diet and regular exercise
• Is within 25 pound of his or her ideal body weight
• Has specific areas of body fat that are resistant to diet and exercise
• Is motivated to undergo a medical procedure to permanently reshape these areas.
In addition to being in good physical health, good candidates for the SmartLipo procedure should have realistic expectations about the procedure’s potential. SmartLipo is most often used to treat small fat deposits on the face, neck, back, and breasts, as well as areas of loose, flabby skin. The procedure is also ideal for treating enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia). However, SmartLipo should not be expected to help you lose large amounts of body fat or drastically change your appearance.
Since its approval by the FDA in 2006, no life-threatening complications have ever been reported due to a SmartLipo procedure, and it is considered much safer than traditional liposuction. The procedure is minimally invasive, and most patients experience little to no discomfort during the procedure and minimal soreness afterwards. SmartLipo is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. No stitches or large incisions are necessary, and no hospital stay is required. In fact, most patients are able to return to normal activities within one or two days following the procedure.
Despite its relative safety, no surgical procedure is completely free of risk, and there are individuals who should not have SmartLipo due to an increased possibility of medical complications. These patients include:
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Persons who are significantly obese
• Persons taking anti-coagulant medication (blood thinners)
• Persons with allergies to lidocaine or similar anesthetics
• Persons who have an active infection in the area to be treated
• Patient with cardiac, severe kidney, or liver disease.
